The space shuttle Columbia’s lift off this morning was delayed. When theshuttle does leave earth it will carry a health experiment designed andbuilt at the University of Iowa. The oxygen sensing system is part of the cell culture module aboard theshuttle. The experiment is designed to monitor and study the growth of humancells in space — and how the cells age and deteriorate. David Murhammer isa U-of-I professor of biochemical engineering.Murhammer says the whole point of the experiment is to see how being inspace effects human cells — and the body overall — to better prepareastronauts for future missions.The U-of-I experiment is among 13 aboard the shuttle. This flight ofColumbia is significant as the cargo bay is carrying the Chandra X-RayObservatory into space — the heaviest payload ever. Officials say thelaunch could be rescheduled for Thursday.
